MacGyver

MACGYVER, a reimagining of the classic series, is an action-adventure drama about 20-something Angus "Mac" MacGyver, who creates a clandestine organization within the U.S. government where he uses his extraordinary talent for unconventional problem solving and vast scientific knowledge to save lives. Joining his team on high-risk missions around the globe is maverick former CIA agent Jack Dalton and Patricia Thornton, ex-field agent turned director of operations and Riley Davis, an unpredictable computer hacker with a chip on her shoulder. At home, MacGyver is entertained by his ambitious roommate, Wilt Bozer. Under the aegis of the Department of External Services, MacGyver takes on the responsibility of saving the world, armed to the teeth with resourcefulness and little more than bubble gum and a paper clip.

ANGUS "MAC" MACGYVER AND JACK DALTON, SPECIAL AGENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL SERVICES, JOIN FORCES TO RECOVER A MISSING BIOWEAPON, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF THE NEW DRAMA "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, SEPT. 23

Lucas Till, George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Justin Hires and Tristin Mays Star in the Reimagining of the Classic Television Series

"The Rising" – Angus "Mac" MacGyver (Lucas Till) and Jack Dalton (George Eads), special agents for the Department of External Services (DXS), join forces to recover a missing bioweapon that has the ability to destroy hundreds of thousands of people with one single drop, on the series premiere of the new drama MACGYVER, Friday, Sept. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. Lucas Till, George Eads, Sandrine Holt, Justin Hires and Tristin Mays star.

FYI: this episode is scheduled to air again, on Sunday, September 25th, starting at 10:30pm ET/9:30pm CT. Due to doubleheader football games airing earlier, this start time might be delayed. Please use the CBS Eye-Lert Systemfor updates to the primetime schedule!

MACGYVER, a reimagining of the classic series, is an action-adventure drama about 20-something Angus "Mac" MacGyver, who creates the Department of External Services (DXS), a clandestine organization within the U.S. government where he uses his extraordinary talent for unconventional problem-solving and vast scientific knowledge to save lives. Joining his team on high-risk missions around the globe is maverick former CIA agent Jack Dalton; Patricia Thornton, an ex-field agent turned director of operations; and Riley Davis, an unpredictable computer hacker with a chip on her shoulder. At home, MacGyver is entertained by his ambitious roommate, Wilt Bozer. Under the aegis of the Department of External Services, MacGyver takes on the responsibility of saving the world, armed to the teeth with resourcefulness and little more than bubble gum and a paper clip.

MACGYVER AND THE TEAM TRAVEL TO VENEZUELA TO RESCUE JACK'S FORMER CIA PARTNER/EX-GIRLFRIEND WHO WENT MISSING AFTER SHE OBTAINED EVIDENCE TO TAKE DOWN AN INTERNATIONAL ARMS DEALER, ON "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, SEPT. 30

"Metal Saw" - MacGyver and the team attempt to rescue Sarah (Amy Acker), Jack's former CIA partner/ex-girlfriend who went missing in Venezuela after she obtained evidence to take down an international arms dealer, on MACGYVER, Friday, Sept. 30 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

"Awl" – MacGyver and the team are in Malaysia to extract a terrorist groups' money man, Ralph (Oliver Cooper), who holds key intel to an impending attack. But the mission goes south when the man is shot, and now, with only a driver's license and hand sanitizer available, MacGyver must keep Ralph alive in order to learn the terrorists' plans, on MACGYVER, Friday, Oct. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

A familiar character is coming back to MacGyver, albeit with a brand new look.

EW has learned exclusively that David Dastmalchian (12 Monkeys) has been cast in the role of master assassin Murdoc for at least one appearance this year on CBS’ hit Friday night reboot of MacGyver.

The maniacal madman in the original series, played by Michael Des Barres, served as one of Mac’s primary antagonists and always found ways to match Mac with booby traps and disguises. He was one of the only major villains to recur in a significant, quasi-serialized way in the 1985-1992 series.

Of the decision to bring Murdoc into the new revival’s fold, co-creator Peter Lenkov says, “In continuing to honor the original series, we, of course, needed to add Mac’s main nemesis to our show. Murdoc is the ultimate badass and, just like we couldn’t do Hawaii Five-0 without Wo Fat, we are eager to add this essential foe to test our hero.”

The new MacGyver series follows a young, agile, ever-improvisational Mac (Lucas Till) as he leads a covert posse of U.S. operatives, including team muscle Jack Dalton (George Eads); ex-convict-turned-good-guy-hacker Riley (Tristin Mays); and boss Patricia Thornton (Sandrine Holt).

Dastmalchian, in addition to upcoming appearances in Showtime’s Twin Peaks revival and 2017’s Blade Runner sequel, is also known for roles in Ant-Man, The Dark Knight, and Prisoners.

"Wire Cutter" – Mac and Jack partner with older versions of themselves, a Russian bomb programmer and his estranged handler, to shut down a Soviet-era warhead in Moscow. But when the antiquated computer needed to disable the warhead becomes inoperable, Mac must find a way to fix it with only duct tape and wire in time to prevent a new Cold War, on MACGYVER, Friday, Oct. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

“Bull” Is the Season’s #1 New Program
“Kevin Can Wait” Is the Season’s #1 New Comedy
“MacGyver” Is Friday’s #1 New SeriesAll Three Programs Deliver Time Period Growth

CBS has given full season orders to three top rated new series, including the #1 and #2 new series, BULL and KEVIN CAN WAIT, and Friday’s #1 new series, MACGYVER.

The three shows, along with the Network’s returning hit programs, have helped CBS win the first three weeks of the season for the eighth consecutive year. In addition, all three have improved their time period, compared to a year ago.

“We’re thrilled viewers have embraced these three shows creatively,” said Glenn Geller, President, CBS Entertainment. “Each one has made an immediate and positive impact on our schedule, while significantly contributing to growing their respective nights.”

BULL, the #1 new program of the season, is averaging 17.32 million viewers, 2.6/09 in adults 18-49 and 3.8/11 in adults 25-54. BULL has improved the year ago Tuesday (9:00-10:00 PM) time period by +18% in viewers, +24% in adults 18-49 and +23% in adults 25-54.

KEVIN CAN WAIT, the season’s #1 new comedy in viewers and key demographics, is averaging 11.26 million viewers, 2.8/09 in adults 18-49 and 4.0/11 in adults 25-54 on Mondays (8:30-9:00 PM). Compared to the year ago time period, KEVIN CAN WAIT is up +10% in viewers, +17% in adults 18-49 and +14% in adults 25-54.

MACGYVER, Friday’s #1 new program, is averaging 11.35 million viewers, 1.9/08 in adults 18-49 and 2.7/10 in adults 25-54, winning its (8:00-9:00 PM) time period in all these measures. MACGYVER is up +55% in viewers, +12% in adults 18-49 and +17% in adults 25-54 compared to the year ago time period.

WHAT NEEDS WORK: Mac's better hacks are good yet never quite have a "Wow!" factor, while the lightweight ones are shrug-worthy. (Has the Internet overinformed us since the '90s?) Team leader Thornton still comes off as a tagalong, when Sandrine Holt has so much more to offer.

USING ONLY AN ARMREST, A CURTAIN ROD AND A TOOTHPICK, MACGYVER MUST FIND A WAY TO FIX A SABOTAGED TRAIN TO PROTECT A WHISTLEBLOWER WITH PROOF THAT HER BOSS IS SELLING WEAPONS TO U.S. ENEMIES, ON "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, OCT. 21

"Toothpick" – Using only an armrest, a curtain rod and a toothpick, MacGyver must fix a sabotaged train in order to protect a whistleblower who has proof that her boss is selling weapons to U.S. enemies, on MACGYVER, Friday, Oct. 21 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

CHEAT TWEET: What would U be able to do w/ just an armrest, a toothpick & a curtain rod? #MacHack @MacGyverCBS 10/21 8pm #CBS http://bit.ly/2dyv1c1

"Wrench" – Using only a wrench and rope, MacGyver must diffuse a bomb set near the United Nations by his old nemesis, "The Ghost" (Niko Nicotera), a notorious criminal whose work killed his mentor, and track him down before he strikes again, on MACGYVER, Friday, Oct. 28 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

MACGYVER GOES UNDERCOVER IN A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON TO BREAK OUT A NOTORIOUS DRUG KINGPIN IN ORDER TO DISMANTLE A MASSIVE CARTEL, ON "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, NOV. 4

"Can Opener" – MacGyver is tasked to go undercover as an inmate in a maximum security prison to break out El Noche, a notorious drug kingpin, using only batteries and salt, and track him to his cartel's secret location and dismantle it, on MACGYVER, Friday, Nov. 4 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

CHEAT TWEET: How will MacGyver use salt & batteries to break himself & a former drug lord out of prison? @MacGyverCBS 11/4 8pm #CBS http://bit.ly/2f1Nd0D

USING A CORKSCREW AND PAPER TOWEL ROLLS, MACGYVER MUST DEFEND HIMSELF AND BOZER FROM MURDOC, AN INTERNATIONAL ASSASSIN HIRED TO KILL HIM, ON "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, NOV. 11

David Dastmalchian Guest Stars as Murdoc, MacGyver's Nemesis

"Corkscrew" – When MacGyver comes face to face with Murdoc, an international assassin hired to kill him, Mac must defend both himself and Bozer, armed with only a corkscrew and paper towel rolls. Also, Bozer feels completely betrayed when he finally learns Mac's true identity on MACGYVER, Friday, Nov. 11 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. David Dastmalchian guest stars as Murdoc, MacGyver's nemesis.

WITH ONLY A CHISEL AND MATCHBOOK, MACGYVER MUST FEND OFF EXTREMISTS WHO ATTACK THE U.S. EMBASSY IN LATVIA, ON "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, NOV. 18

"Chisel" – With only a chisel and matchbook, MacGyver and team must defend themselves and U.S. embassy workers in Latvia from extremists who are attempting to retrieve their leader. Also, Bozer faces a big decision now that he knows who Mac really is, on MACGYVER, Friday, Nov. 18 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

WHEN THE YOUNG PRODIGY OF MACGYVER'S FAVORITE SCIENCE TEACHER IS KIDNAPPED, MAC ATTEMPTS TO RESCUE HER USING ONLY PLIERS AND SPEAKER WIRE, ON "MACGYVER," FRIDAY, DEC. 9

John Heard Guest Stars as Mr. Ericson, Mac's Favorite Science Teacher

"Pliers" – Mac and the team have no time to reminisce while visiting Mac's and Bozer's hometown when they immediately start searching for a kidnapped prodigy from Mac's old middle school, Valerie (Amiah Miller). With just pliers and speaker wire available, Mac works doggedly to rescue the young genius he has so much in common with, on MACGYVER, Friday, Dec. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. John Heard guest stars as Mr. Ericson, Mac's favorite science teacher.